Has anyone done a mid- or post/pre cruise which includes a side trip to Machu Picchu? I'm looking at a couple of cruises (Sapphire Princess, for one) that include flights directly into Cusco, at 11,000 feet, and tours of the city that begin right after getting off the airplane. I'm wondering how this all works out with a bunch of geezers.    I have gone to Machu Picchu before, but I booked my own tours, and, on the advice of other travelers, immediately made a descent into the Sacred Valley - 9,000 feet - to avoid the lower oxygen levels of Cusco. I remember stepping off the plane an ..read more

If going to South America make sure to read about the southern cross. Then look for it. It points to the star over the south pole similar to the north star over the north pole.  sightcrr ..read more

We’ll be on this amazing holiday cruise starting on December 18 from Lima to Buenos Aires. Reading about the excursions and would like your input on which ones are worth booking from Oceania, and which do you recommend we book ourselves. Thanks, and look forward to meeting you all ..read more

Which vaccines, if any do you usually get for your travels to SA. We are going to be circumnavigate the continent, calling in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and French Guiana plus go into the Amazon. We are too old for the yellow fever vaccine, considering the Typhoid. Do you bring just in case medicines and if so which ones? I realize you are not doctors (or maybe you are) just asking for your experience.    Thanks  ..read more

We will be disembarking in Valparaiso and need to get to Santiago airport. Is it best to book transportation? Companies anyone has used? How long a drive?    ..read more

Se have never cruise South America but are considering the eastern coast. We are in our seventies, able to walk about a mile or two per excursion. I have some medical condition that is mostly under control, but you never know and could need some emergency care if things go south. I'd rather avoid Brazil and Argentina as I question the safety of those areas but was thinking of Chile and Uruguay for our first South American cruise. What do you think ..read more

We have plenty of time as our cruise is not until January but I now see that the Visa requirement starts January 10th. And i'm wondering from the united states What is the best way to acquire the visa ..read more

Hi!  We're doing the Antarctica cruise in February and flying into Santiago a couple days early.  We'd like to do a day trip to the Andes, maybe Canjon del Maipo? Any recommendations on how to do this?  ..read more

Could anyone recommend a transfer company to take us from our hotel in Satiago to the cruise port in San Antonio?  We don't need a tour, just a transfer.   TIA ..read more

We have a pre-cruise Machu Picchu tour in December. I use a walking stick (hiking pole with rubber tip). I understand that for the most part these are banned at Machu Picchu. How does one prove that one needs this accommodation? Do I need a doctor's note in Spanish, or will just showing them my knee braces be enough?   Thanks for any info ..read more